Zero Hour

May 13, 2013
Kurt Austin and best pal Joe Zavala, those grown-up Hardy Boys, contend with Maxmillian Thero, a hideously disfigured mad scientist, in Cussler's action-packed, fun-filled 11th NUMA Files adventure (after 2012's The Storm, also coauthored with Brown). Thero has invented a machine that in theory draws on "background fields" to produce "zero-point energy," which could solve the planet's energy needs, though it also has the potential to unleash earthquakes and affect the movement of the continental plates. So what direction will Theo's madness take? He's out to destroy the world, of courseâor at least parts of it. The authors provide the usual deserted volcanic-island lair, tricked-out ships, diving exploits, and plenty of thugs and minions to give Kurt a few problems, to say nothing of a beautiful woman scientist along for the love-interest role. Readers new to Cussler should be prepared for zero believability. Agent: Peter Lampack, Peter Lampack Agency.

September 2, 2013
This latest NUMA adventure from Cussler and Brown features the heroic members of the National Underwater and Marine AgencyâKurt Austin, Dirk Pitt, Joe Zavala, et al.âbattling yet another madman who hopes to conquer the world. But crazed scientist Maxmillian Theroâs weapon is unique: it uses of zero-point energy to create machines capable of causing continent-shattering earthquakes. Narrator Scott Brick is skilled at creating accentsâa much-needed talent considering that Thero has marked both Australia and Russia as his main targets. Brick treats the bookâs Aussies, male and female, to a credible, near musical twang. His Russian accents are solid, especially the voice he uses for an oddly likeable Moscow assassin. When it comes to most of the NUMA world-savers, Austin and Pitt included, Brick uses an all-purpose, broadcast-quality stalwart tone, though the down-to-earth Zavalaâs comments have an added touch of Brooklyn sarcasm. Itâs the voice of Thero that presents the biggest challenge. The authors describe it as being the result of vocal chords damaged in an intense fire that nearly killed the man and drove him mad. Brickâs croak is so effectively garbled and strained one hopes he has his own award-winning voice properly insured against misuse. A Putnam hardcover.